Universal hydration system

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a hydration system. One embodiment of the present invention relates to a universal hydration system for drinking fluid from an independent container. The universal hydration system includes a tube and a cap configured to couple with an independent container. The tube extends through the cap in a leak resistant manner and is disposed within the interior of the independent container. The other end of the tube may be coupled to a tube cap of some sort including a bite valve or a cover, or may be left exposed. The cap is coupled to the independent container using the independent container&#39;s coupling system. Additional caps configured for coupling to various containers may also be included with the system. In addition, the additional caps may be stored on the tube so as to create a one piece universal hydration system. Likewise, the full length of the tube can be extended into the container for storage purposes. Additional embodiments may also include the ability to pressurize the independent container via some form of pump and valve system.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. provisional application Ser.No. 60/620,780 filed Oct. 21, 2004.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a hydration system. One embodiment ofthe present invention relates to a universal hydration system fordrinking fluid from an independent container.

2. Background

The human body is composed of over 90% water and a human being is saidto only be able to survive for three days without liquid. Therefore, theconsumption of fluids is extremely important during all activities. Theconsumption of fluid is especially necessary during athletic activities.

Traditionally, people transport fluids in sealable containers forconsumption during activities away from home. These sealable containersinclude thermoses, canteens, flasks, polycarbonate bottles, etc.However, recently companies such as Camelbak, Platypus, etc haveintroduced hands free bladder type hydration systems that allowindividuals to consume fluids without opening a sealable container andinterrupting their activities. All of these systems generally include abladder, a tube and some form of bite valve. The bladder is a flexiblecontainer configured to hold the fluid. The tube is generally coupled tothe outside of the bladder and is positioned at the bottom of thebladder to allow for access to all of the fluid. The tube does notextend into the bladder in any of these hydration systems. The other endof the tube is coupled to a bite valve that allows a user to open thevalve using some form of hands free mouth movement. Once the bite valveis opened, a user is able to suck out fluid. These hands free bladdersystems have significant advantages over existing sealable fluidtransportation systems.

Unfortunately, existing hands free bladder systems also have significantproblems. One problem is the inherent weakness present in almost allexisting bladders. Bladders are generally flexible containers composedof some form of rubber or plastic. These containers are very vulnerableto punctures and leaks. For example, if an individual falls whilemountain biking, the impact of the fall may cause the bladder to leak.In addition, the retail price of bladders is too expensive to make themdisposable to low income individuals. Many users avoid putting sportsdrinks in bladders because of the inherent bacteria problems that occurfrom dormant sports drinks. Likewise, it is very difficult to clean abladder because of their shape and dimensions.

Therefore, there is a need in the industry for a hydration system thatmaintains the hands free capability of existing systems but minimizes oravoids the many problems.

SUMMARY

The present invention relates to a hydration system. One embodiment ofthe present invention relates to a universal hydration system fordrinking fluid from an independent container. The universal hydrationsystem includes a tube and a cap configured to couple with anindependent container. The tube extends through the cap in a leakresistant manner and is disposed within the interior of the independentcontainer. The other end of the tube may be coupled to a tube cap ofsome sort including a bite valve or a cover, or may be left exposed. Thecap is coupled to the independent container using the independentcontainer's coupling system. Additional caps configured for coupling tovarious containers may also be included with the system. In addition,the additional caps may be stored on the tube so as to create aone-piece universal hydration system. Likewise, the full length of thetube can be extended into the container for storage purposes. Additionalembodiments may also include the ability to pressurize the independentcontainer via some form of pump and valve system.

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will beset forth or will become more fully apparent in the description thatfollows and in the appended claims. The features and advantages may berealized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinationsparticularly pointed out in the appended claims. Furthermore, thefeatures and advantages of the invention may be learned by the practiceof the invention or will be obvious from the description, as set forthhereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the manner in which the above-recited and other advantagesand features of the invention are obtained, a more particulardescription of the invention briefly described above will be rendered byreference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in theappended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typicalembodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be consideredlimiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explainedwith additional specificity and detail through the use of theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a component view of a universal hydration system inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates an assembled view of one embodiment of the presentinvention configured for hydration use;

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a tube extending through acap in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4A illustrates a multi-sided multi-cap for use with a hydrationsystem embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4B illustrates a single-sided multi-cap for use with a hydrationsystem embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a hydration system inwhich a pressurization system is incorporated; and

FIG. 6 illustrates a hydration system embodiment of the presentinvention in which the tube is disposed within the container forefficient storage.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention relates to a hydration system. One embodiment ofthe present invention relates to a universal hydration system fordrinking fluid from an independent container. The universal hydrationsystem includes a tube and a cap configured to couple with anindependent container. The tube extends through the cap in a leakresistant manner and is disposed within the interior of the independentcontainer. The other end of the tube may be coupled to a tube cap ofsome sort including a bite valve or a cover, or may be left exposed. Thecap is coupled to the independent container using the independentcontainer's coupling system. Additional caps configured for coupling tovarious containers may also be included with the system. In addition,the additional caps may be stored on the tube so as to create a onepiece universal hydration system. Likewise, the full length of the tubecan be extended into the container for storage purposes. Additionalembodiments may also include the ability to pressurize the independentcontainer via some form of pump and valve system. While embodiments ofthe present invention are directed towards a universal hydration system,the teachings of the present invention are also applicable to otherareas. For example, the teachings of the present invention may beapplied to a universal fluid dispensing system.

Reference is initially made to FIG. 1, which illustrates a componentview of a universal hydration system in accordance with one embodimentof the present invention. The universal hydration system is designatedgenerally at 100. The universal hydration system 100 generally includesa tube 110 and at least one bottle cap 120. The universal hydrationsystem 100 can be configured for use with any one of a plurality ofexisting bottles 140. The bottles are independent of the hydrationsystem in that they originated from an independent sale. For example, aGatorade® bottle may have originally been sold containing Gatorade®fluid. The bottle may be reused/recycled as an independent container foruse with the universal hydration system. The universal hydration system100 may also optionally include one or more tube ends 130. The tube 110further includes a body 104, a bottle end 106, and a user end 102. Thetube 110 is flexible and may be composed of any material including butnot limited to polyethylene, Tygon, PVC, urethane, elastomer, rubber,vinyl, etc. The diameter of the tube 110 should be sufficiently large toprovide adequate fluid transportation.

The universal hydration system 100 may include one or more bottle caps120 to provide flexibility upon which types of bottles it can operatewith. Each bottle cap 120 is sized for a particular bottle 140. Forexample, two liter soda bottles require a very small cap similar to cap122. Likewise, sports drink bottles generally have a medium sizedopening and may conform to the cap 124. Any type of cap may be used andremain consistent with the present invention. Each of the bottle caps120 include a hole or recess through which the tube 110 is configured toextend. The hole is generally sized smaller than the diameter of thetube to facilitate a substantially leak proof seal. This seal will bediscussed in more detail with reference to FIG. 3. Alternatively, amulti-cap could be utilized which accommodates a variety bottle sizes. Amulti-sided and single-sided multi-cap are illustrated and described inmore detail with reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B respectively.

The universal hydration system optionally includes one or more tube ends130. A tube end 130 is a device positioned on the user end 102 of thetube in order to provide a particular function. One common function of atube end 130 is to prevent leakage of fluid when the hydration system isnot in use. For example, a bite valve 134 seals the user end 102 of thetube 110 until a user applies a biting force causing it to open.Likewise, a cap end 130 allows the user end 102 of the tube 110 to becapped when not in use. Various other tube ends 130 may be used andremain consistent with the present invention. For example, a manualvalve may be added to some portion of the tube 110 to allow a user toblock the flow of liquid through the tube.

The universal hydration system also requires the use of an existingbottle 140. The existing bottle 140 is generally recycled from anotheruse but may be sold as part of the universal hydration system. A twoliter soda bottle 144 is generally composed of a smooth yet durableplastic material. Likewise, a sports drink bottle 142 is composed of adurable plastic material. The concept behind the universal hydrationsystem is to allow it to be used with any fluid bottle. The use of anexisting bottle rather than a bladder with traditional types of tubeoriented hydration systems saves money and promotes recycling.

Reference is next made to FIG. 2, which illustrates an assembled view ofone embodiment of the present invention configured for hydration use.The tube body 104 extends all the way to the bottom of the bottle 200 inorder to allow a user to access all of the fluid 210 within thecontainer 200. This embodiment includes two caps 122, 124. Cap 122 isdisposed in a storage configuration while cap 124 is disposed in anoperational configuration. Additional storage caps may also be stored onthe tube wither in or out of the container. The tube body 104 extendsthrough the cap 124 in a sealed manner to prevent leakage of fluid 210.The user end 102 of the tube 110 is covered with a bite valve type tubecap to prevent leakage of fluid 210. Various suspension systems andbackpacks may be utilized in conjunction with this system to facilitatehands free hydration.

Reference is next made to FIG. 3, which illustrates a cross-sectionalview of a tube extending through a cap in accordance with the presentinvention. The cap 124 includes a plurality of threads used for couplingto an existing bottle. The cap 124 also includes a hole sized slightlysmaller than the diameter of the tube body 104 in order to facilitate aseal between the tube body 104 and the cap 124. Since the tube isflexible it can be pushed through the cap in a compressed configuration.The resiliency of the tube will cause it to expand into the hole in thecap 124 forming the seal therebetween. In addition, a one way valve maybe included in the hole that would allow air into the container butprevent fluid from exiting the container. A pressure vacuum may resultfrom sucking fluid out of the container and a one-way valve/air breathervent would prevent the vacuum from inhibiting the flow of liquid out thetube.

Reference is next made to FIGS. 4A and 4B which illustrate cutawayprofile views of multi-sided and single-sided multi-caps respectively.Multi-caps allow a single cap to accommodate a variety of containeropening shapes. FIG. 4A illustrates a cap in which multiple receivingrecesses are disposed on both the top and bottom of the cap. In order toutilize both sides of the cap, the cap may need to be removed andreinserted such that the receiving recesses are facing towards tocontainer. Alternatively, the tube could be reversed such that the fluidend becomes the user end and vice versa. Any additional end caps wouldneed to be removed and coupled on the alternative tube end. FIG. 4Billustrates a cap in which multiple receiving recesses are disposed on asingle side of the cap. Multi-caps may be especially useful forefficient manufacturing in that a single cap could be manufactured whichaccommodates a wide variety of containers.

Reference is next made to FIG. 5, which illustrates an alternativehydration system embodiment including a pressurization system,designated generally at 500. The illustrated hydration system 500includes a bite valve 505, a tube 510, a pump 515, a cap 520, and acontainer 530. The illustrated pump 515 is a bulb pump which can besqueezed causing an evacuation of air. The pump 515 also includes acheck valve 517 which allow air into the pump as it resumes its originalshape. The check valve 517 also seals the air within the pump 515 suchthat the evacuated air can be directed into the tube 510. The container530 further includes an air region 535 and a fluid region 540. As air ispumped into the container 530 via the pump 515, it will act to increasethe pressure within the air region 535 causing a force to be applied onthe fluid. This force will assist in fluid transportation up through thetube during operation of the hydration system.

A pressurization system includes an air intake mechanism and some formof valve to maintain pressure. The illustrated pressurization system isthe bulb pump 515 attached to the tube 510. The valve is the check valve517 disposed on the bulb pump 515, which allows air into the bulb butnot out of the bulb. The bulb can then be repeatably compressed toinsert air into the container 530 thereby pressurizing the container530. The check valve 517 on the bulb pump 515, the seal between the cap520 and the container 530, and the seal between the tube 510 and the cap520 all operate to maintain the pressure within the container. Numerousalternative pressurization systems are contemplated and are consistentwith the present invention. For example, the tube 510 may includemultiple independent chambers in which one chamber is dedicated topressurization while another is utilized for fluid transportation.Likewise, the caps may include one or more auxiliary recesses for use inattaching pressurization tools such as a pump and/or a check valve. Afurther embodiment of a pressurization system includes a check valve andrelies on the compliance properties of the container to act as a pump inresponse to a compression force.

Reference is next made to FIG. 6, which illustrates a hydration systemembodiment of the present invention in which the tube is disposed withinthe container for efficient storage, designated generally at 600. Theillustrated hydration system 600 includes a bite valve 605, cap 620,tube 610, and container 630. The container further includes an airregion 635 and a fluid region 640. As illustrated, the tube body 610 maybe extended entirely within the container 630 for the purpose of storageand efficient transportation. During operation, the tube body 610 may beextended out from the container 630 to accommodate a desired length orfunction.

Thus, as discussed herein, the present invention relates to a hydrationsystem. One embodiment of the present invention relates to a universalhydration system for drinking fluid from an independent container. Thepresent invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from its spirit or essential characteristics. The describedembodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrativeand not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicatedby the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. Allchanges that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of theclaims are to be embraced within their scope.

1. A universal hydration system comprising: a tube having a particulartube diameter, and wherein the tube includes a fluid end and a user end,and wherein the fluid end is configured to extend into a container; andat least one cap configured to couple and thereby provide a water-tightseal with a particular sized container opening, and wherein the at leastone cap includes a recess with a diameter smaller than the tubediameter.
 2. The universal hydration system of claim 1 further includinga tube cap disposed on the user end of the tube.
 3. The universalhydration system of claim 2, wherein the tube cap is a bite valveconfigured to seal the user end of the tube unless a user applies abiting force upon the bite valve.
 4. The universal hydration system ofclaim 1, wherein the at least one cap includes a plurality of caps andwherein the plurality of caps are stored on the tube in a manner suchthat a particular cap can be selectively utilized to accommodate aparticular container opening.
 5. The universal hydration system of claim4, wherein the plurality of caps are coupled back to back and interlacedwithin one another to form a multi-cap capable of accommodating a widerange of container openings.
 6. The universal hydration system of claim1, wherein the at least one cap includes at least one auxiliary recessfor insertion of auxiliary tube related items.
 7. The universalhydration system of claim 6, wherein the at least one cap includes twoauxiliary recesses, a second tube with a check valve extended throughone of the auxiliary recesses, and a third tube with a pump extendedthrough the other auxiliary recess.
 8. The universal hydration system ofclaim 1, wherein the at least one cap includes a check valve forallowing air into the container while preventing water leakage.
 9. Theuniversal hydration system of claim 1, wherein the container originatedfrom a retail sale independent of the universal hydration system. 10.The universal hydration system of claim 1, wherein the tube is slidablycoupled with the at least one cap such that the tube can be extendedinto the container for storage and retracted out of the container foroperation.
 11. The universal hydration system of claim 1, wherein tubefurther includes a pump for use in pressurizing the container.
 12. Theuniversal hydration system of claim 11, wherein the pump is a bulb pumpwith a check valve.
 13. The universal hydration system of claim 11,wherein the pump is disposed between the at least one cap and the userend.
 14. The universal hydration system of claim 1, wherein tubeincludes two independent internal chambers, and wherein one independentinternal chamber extends the entire length of the tube for fluidtransportation, and wherein the second independent internal chamberincludes an input and output end, and only extends a portion of the tubelength, and wherein input end is coupled to a pump and check valve andthe output end is disposed such that it is within the container.
 15. Auniversal hydration system comprising: a container, wherein thecontainer originated from a retail sale independent of the universalhydration system; a tube having a particular tube diameter, and whereinthe tube includes a fluid end and a user end, and wherein the fluid endis configured to extend into a container; a plurality of caps configuredto couple to and thereby provide a water-tight seal with a plurality ofcontainer openings, and wherein the plurality of caps include a recesswith a diameter smaller than the tube diameter, and wherein theplurality of caps are configured to be stored on the tube in a mannersuch that a particular cap can be selectively utilized to accommodate aparticular container opening.
 16. A method of coupling a universalhydration system to an independent container comprising the acts of:extending a tube a particular distance through a hole in a cap, whereinthe hole is sized smaller than the diameter of the tube; and couplingthe cap to an independent sold fluid container thereby providing a watertight seal between the tube, the cap, and the fluid container.
 17. Themethod of claim 16 further including the act of pressurizing the fluidcontainer to facilitate pressurized assistance in delivering fluid fromthe fluid container through the tube.
 18. The method of claim 16,wherein the tube includes a fluid end and a user end, and wherein a tubecap is disposed on the user end of the tube.
 19. The method of claim 16,wherein the tube includes a pump for facilitating the pressurization ofthe fluid container.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the pump is abulb pump and a check valve.